Monday, March 11, 2013

Tiny Treasures: the Wee Watch Fob

This tiny watch fob is one of my favorite antique finds ever. I’d been searching high and low for a trinket-type gift for my favorite fella, with limited success. He’s not big on jewelry, he’s a little picky (for a guy), and there just didn't seem to be anything out there.

So tiny and lovely

When I found it, I was actually looking for something else on Ebay. I don’t remember what, because as soon as I saw this I basically dropped everything and ran in little circles shrieking with delight. It’s adorable! It’s perfect! And it has his name on it!

RICHARD! IT SAYS RICHARD!

No seriously, how amazing is that? I mean, it’s not like his name is Epaphroditus or Aloisius or something. Richard is a good, normal name that’s been around a while, but I know very few people who just stumble across lovely antiques that basically say “buy me; I belong to you! (or your boyfriend)”

Also, it was the first thing I’d showed him that got “I love it!” as a reaction. Clearly he has impeccable taste in antiques.

Because Rich and Tea (and therefore tea pots) go together

According to folks more knowledgeable than I am, it’s a Georgian piece that dates probably to about 1820ish. It’s made of pinchbeck, which is a type of brass (copper and zinc) mixed to look like gold. Personally, I can’t tell the difference! The stamping surface is black glass with teeny-tiny letters stamped or engraved into the surface.

I'm running out of things to say...

So, all in all I'm really thrilled with this little guy, and I'm looking forward to getting Rich a pocket watch so he can actually use it. Of course, I then have to make the clothes with the pockets for the pocket watch...oh boy!